prompt
[prompt]
- done, performed, delivered, etc., at once or without delay: a prompt reply.
- ready in action; quick to act as occasion demands.
- quick or alert: prompt to take offense.
- punctual.
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- to move or induce to action: What prompted you to say that?
- to occasion or incite; inspire: What prompted his resignation?
- to assist (a person speaking) by suggesting something to be said.
- Theater. to supply (an actor, singer, etc.) from offstage with a missed cue or forgotten line.
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- Theater. to supply forgotten lines, lyrics, or the like to an actor, singer, etc.
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- Commerce.
- a limit of time given for payment for merchandise purchased, the limit being stated on a note of reminder (prompt note).
- the contract setting the time limit.
- the act of prompting.
- something serving to suggest or remind.
- Computers. a message or symbol from a computer system to a user, generally appearing on a display screen, requesting more information or indicating that the system is ready for user instructions.
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- take a prompt, (in acting) to move or speak in response to a cue.
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Origin of prompt
1300–50; (v.) Middle English < Medieval Latin prōmptāre to incite, Latin: to distribute, frequentative of prōmere to bring out, equivalent to prō- pro-1 + (e)mere to take, buy; (adj.) late Middle English < Latin promptus ready, prompt, special use of past participle of prōmere
Synonyms
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
readiness, agility, preparation, quickness, punctuality, speed, swiftness, alacrity, dispatchExamples from the Web for promptness
Contemporary Examples
It is critical to focus on concrete and implementable options, on a low profile, discretion and promptness.
Historical Examples
The vigour and promptness of these measures cannot be too highly extolled.
The Mudfog and Other SketchesCharles Dickens
His answer came with a promptness that showed he had considered, also, that.
Love-at-ArmsRaphael Sabatini
These were ordered with consummate skill, and executed with promptness and success.
Three Years in the Federal CavalryWillard Glazier
One secret of Morgan's success was the promptness with which he struck.
Sir Henry Morgan, BuccaneerCyrus Townsend Brady
Perhaps this promptness has never been equalled in Kentucky.
prompt
- performed or executed without delay
- quick or ready to act or respond
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- informal punctually
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- (tr) to urge (someone to do something)
- to remind (an actor, singer, etc) of lines forgotten during a performance
- (tr) to refresh the memory of
- (tr) to give rise to by suggestionhis affairs will prompt discussion
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- commerce
- the time limit allowed for payment of the debt incurred by purchasing goods or services on credit
- the contract specifying this time limit
- Also called: prompt notea memorandum sent to a purchaser to remind him of the time limit and the sum due
- the act of prompting
- anything that serves to remind
- an aid to the operator of a computer in the form of a question or statement that appears on the screen showing that the equipment is ready to proceed and indicating the options available
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Word Origin
C15: from Latin promptus evident, from prōmere to produce, from pro- 1 + emere to buy
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for promptness
prompt
prompt
n.
early 15c., "readiness," from Latin promptus (see prompt (v.)). Meaning "hint, act of prompting" is from 1590s. Computer sense attested by 1977.
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prompt
adj.
early 15c., from Old French prompt and directly from Latin promptus "brought forth," hence "visible, apparent, evident," past participle of promere "to take or bring out or forth" (see prompt (v.)).Related: Promptly; promptitude.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper